irreversible

American  

[ir-i-vur-suh-buhl] / ˌɪr ɪˈvɜr sə bəl /

adjective

1. not reversible; incapable of being changed.

   His refusal is irreversible.

---

irreversible British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be reversed

   the irreversible flow of time

2. not able to be revoked or repealed; irrevocable

3. chem physics capable of changing or producing a change in one direction only

   an irreversible reaction

4. thermodynamics (of a change, process, etc) occurring through a number of intermediate states that are not all in thermodynamic equilibrium

---

Other Word Forms

• irreversibility noun
• irreversibleness noun
• irreversibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of irreversible

First recorded in 1620–30; ir- ² + reversible

Example Sentences

The accord was criticised by the EU which said it could cause "irreversible" damage to the dwindling North Atlantic mackerel population.

From Barron's

Monaldi Hospital, where he was being treated, said he had suffered a "sudden and irreversible worsening of his clinical condition".

From BBC

The clinician adds that the condition can't currently be detected until the patient has started developing weakness - at which point there has been "irreversible loss" of nerve cells in the brain and spine.

From BBC

“The position of our state was firmly consolidated as an irreversible one,” he said, likely referring to North Korea’s nuclear stockpile.

From The Wall Street Journal

Moreover, Bernstein says, the disruption to the traditional eyewear market will be irreversible, as new suppliers sprout to feed tech’s demand for glasses hardware.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• inevitable
• permanent